Malice, malice, malice…FLUFF! xD

"You, my love, will never quite realize how much I regret this- ever. I care for you so much, but I'm not worthy of your love…"—Unknown

Pleaseee go listen to the song Our Farewell by Within Temptation.

It's just such a sweet song :D

Mirana

Watching her disappear in a cloud of grey smoke was killing me. I shouldn't have given her the blasted Jabberwock blood!

"Watch your tongue, Mirana. Such language is not Queen-like." I thought to myself. I smirked, but the smirk faded as there was a sharp pain in my chest. I knew my heart was broken, but I didn't know it was broken so badly. I had wanted Alice so much…and she was gone.

"Alice?" I asked, turning to look at the young woman. I didn't want to have to lay burden on her shoulders, but I was weakening- I couldn't hold the burden by myself much longer. I felt terrible, sending this girl to her death. I would rather the Jabberwock kill me than send her to fight for the crown. I'd sacrifice myself for my newfound love.

Only, I wasn't quite sure she loved me back.

I quickly realized everyone had left the Tulgey Wood, everyone except Cream, my loyal mare. I walked, or trudged, over to her and ran my fingers through her mane. She nuzzled my face, sensing my pain. I let the tears fall freely down my face as my façade fell, no one around to witness. I felt so broken, so weak.

I wrapped my arms around the mare's neck and sobbed, leaning all my weight against her. I was, oddly, not startled by the tiny hand that wiped the tears from my pale face. It was Mally, I knew, because only she would stay behind to check on me. I had talked to her the night before the Frabjous Day and told her of my feelings.

"Mirana, she'll be back. Din nea worry. 'Tis not fer usal, friend," she whispered, laying a comforting kiss on my cheek. I sniffled and stood up, careful not to knock her off my shoulder. I nodded slowly and sat on the dirty ground, picking up Mally in one hand. "Wha' is it, Mirana? Somethin' else is wrong."

"I regret all of it, Mally- sending her to almost certain death, hoping that she'd live, but also hoping that she'd stay. It was stupid and childish to want her love like that. It was stupid to believe she could ever love me back. It was stupid to give her the Jabberwock blood." I fought back the new tears and ran a finger over Mallymkin's small head.

"But you'd do it again, wouldn't ye? If it meant seeing 'er again, but this time, knowing the outcome."

"Touché, Mallymkin, touché," I whispered, closing my eyes. I tried so hard to remember the sound of her voice, my only sanity left…

Alice

Climbing out of the rabbit hole, I stumbled, trying to gain my balance. I was already upset that I drank the disgusting blood- I knew I had wanted to stay and I refused to follow my instincts yet again. I looked to my left, a glimmer of hope appearing as I thought I saw what I was hoping for.

Marmoreal.

Since it wasn't there, I walked slowly back to the engagement party. I was now certain that I'd reject Hamish, after my experience in Marmoreal. I saw something in the Queen that I'd never seen in anyone else. I thought I loved her. I felt so guilty after drinking that damned Jabberwocky blood. It was obvious they all had wanted me to stay, even the Queen herself. But I decided to be daft and drink it! All of it! I wanted so badly to turn around and jump back down that rabbit hole. I'd be willing to walk around Underland a million times if it meant finding Mirana.

But for now, I was angry. I told off everyone at the party and joined Lord Ascot in a journey towards China.

So now- lying in my cabin on the ship (curiously named "The Wonder")- I stared up at my ceiling. I thought about Mirana. I could swear I saw her face etched into the wooden roof, but it was obviously and illusion. Everything was an illusion now. The only thing that reminded me I was still alive was the pang of regret that crossed my heart every once in a while.

"The blood of the Jabberwocky. You'll have our everlasting gratitude for your efforts on our behalf." She had obviously been unwilling to give it to me, but I had foolishly taken it.

"Will this take me home?"

"If that is what you choose," she said, half-heartedly. She reached towards me and caressed my face, a million words passing between us with that one touch.

"How could you have been so foolish Alice?" I shouted, standing up and throwing my fist at the wall. My knuckles began to bleed as I realized the truth. She loved me. I loved her. I cried out in frustration- I was in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea with no way back to London…unless I asked Lord Ascot and gave him a sincere apology.

I stole a glance over at my mirror and had to do a double take. I stared with a look of disbelief on my face. This was impossible.

There, in the mirror- staring back at me with a similar look of disbelief- was Mirana. My White Queen of Marmoreal.